Some transfer pursuits announce themselves loudly.
A bid submitted.
A fee agreed.
And some begin with a phone call.
One that tells you everything about the direction a club is heading even before the formal offer arrives.
Manchester City have made theirs.
Manchester City make direct contact with Pedro Neto’s camp as Chelsea winger emerges as priority attacking target for Enzo Maresca
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have made direct contact with Neto’s representatives over a possible move this summer, marking a significant escalation in their interest in the Chelsea winger after weeks of monitoring from a distance.
Romano was direct.
“Manchester City have made direct contact with Pedro Neto’s camp over a possible move this summer. The player is also on Tottenham’s list as a back-up option to Savinho. Any deal will depend on Chelsea’s valuation.”
That final line is the one that will shape everything.
Chelsea paid £54 million to sign Neto from Wolves in 2024.
They are not going to let him leave cheaply.
Sources suggest the asking price has been set at around £70 million, a figure that neither City nor Tottenham Hotspur have yet formally met, but that could quickly become the ceiling of a competitive bidding process.
The City pursuit is driven by Enzo Maresca directly.
The Italian manager worked closely with Neto during his time at Stamford Bridge, developing him into one of the more consistent wide performers in the Premier League and understanding precisely how to extract the best from a player who has spent his career fighting back from serious injury.
The Maresca connection removes much of the risk that would otherwise accompany a £70 million pursuit.
He doesn’t need time to learn the player.
He already knows exactly what he’s getting.
Chelsea are open to a sale in principle.
With Morgan Rogers already secured for £117 million and the summer spending significant, generating income from player sales before the window closes is a priority.
Neto, valued highly, wanted by multiple clubs and not central to Xabi Alonso’s first-choice plans, is one of the profiles most likely to move.
The Tottenham angle adds competitive tension.
Roberto De Zerbi has Savinho as his primary target, but with that deal unresolved, Neto sits on the list as a credible alternative that could be activated quickly.
Manchester City got there first with a direct approach.
Now the question is whether they can get there first with the bid.
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